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4 Arizona Schools Go Solar

Four Tucson-area schools will soon be solar-powered. SOLON, a provider of turnkey solar power plants and photovoltaic (PV) products, will engineer, design, construct, commission, and maintain the operation of 1.15 megawatts (MW) of photovoltaic systems for the Tanque Verde Unified School District (TVUSD).

The four schools where the PV systems will be implemented are Tanque Verde High School, Tanque Verde Elementary School, Emily Gray Junior High School, and Agua Caliente Elementary School. The systems will consist of shade structures and rooftop systems and will provide a large portion of the schools' daytime energy requirements and consequently reduce operating expenses.

SOLON is providing these schools with the energy produced by the PV systems through a 25-year power purchase agreement and with the help of rebates from Tucson Electric Power (TEP). Under the terms of the agreement, TVUSD will have to pay for the cost of the solar electricity produced by the PV systems but will not have to pay upfront costs for the systems themselves.

"The idea to implement a solar energy project as part of TEP's renewable energy rebate program began with community input, and that initiative will positively impact our district and schools for many years to come," said Claire Place, member of the TVUSD Governing Board, in a prepared statement. "The solar installations will bring cost savings, campus improvements and educational opportunities to our students, staff, and community."

SOLON will complete the implementation of the PV systems at the schools later this year and early next year.

About the Author

Leila Meyer is a technology writer based in British Columbia. She can be reached at leilameyer@gmail.com.

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